CWL award winner's adage &#8212; 'Do it well'

WCR PHOTO | RAMON GONZALEZ

Mary Anne Warren calls the CWL her family

FORT SASKATCHEWAN — Mary-Anne Warren of St. Albert was all smiles during the CWL provincial convention—and with good reason.

The CWL awarded Warren the 2011 Elsie Yanik Award in recognition to her dedication and commitment to the League, the Church and the community.

“I’m just totally honoured,” the member of St. Albert Parish said during a break at the convention. “I’ve known Elsie since 1969 and we’ve been friends. She set a high standard for service in her Church and community and I’m honoured to follow in her footsteps.”

The Elsie Yanik Award was initiated in 1997 to commemorate the leadership and ministry/service of Elsie Yanik to the Catholic community in the Diocese of Mackenzie-Fort Smith. Yanik, 94, was present at the convention and was honoured during the banquet.

Warren was nominated for the award by her parish, which thinks the world of her. “Mary-Anne Warren is well-deserving of the Elsie Yanik Award and we are proud to have her as a member of the CWL council of St. Albert Parish,” said a tribute to Warren printed in the convention program.

Warren, a CWL Life Member, joined the CWL 51 years ago. Since then, she has served in a great number of positions, including CWL council president, parish council chair, member of the executive of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, chair of Habitat for Humanity, member of the board of Newman Theological College, member of the St. Albert Affordable Housing Committee and member of the CWL provincial executive.

GREAT GRANDMOTHER

Warren is the mother of three adult daughters and has six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

She said she lived her life under the maxim: “Do what you are supposed to do, do it well and everything else will fall into place.” That adage has served her well.

Warren served as CWL provincial president from 1973 to 1975. Before that she had been diocesan president for the Mackenzie Diocese and the St. Paul Diocese.

“During her many terms on the executive, Mary-Anne Warren took on numerous projects,” reads the tribute provided by her parish.

“She helped our council meet our pledge of $5,000 to furnish a room at the Youville Nursing Home in St. Albert. She organized and provided meals for Habitat for Humanity ‘builds’ both in Edmonton and St. Albert. She arranged transportation and meals for CWL members as they travelled to provincial conventions. Mary-Anne willingly gives her time to share her extensive knowledge and experience at CWL workshops.”

The tribute said Warren’s aptitude with accounting, preparing budgets, allocating funds and balancing accounts is an asset in her many volunteer activities.

WE LIKE YOU

Warren agrees that by giving her the Elsie Yanik Award, the CWL is saying, “we like you” and the thought makes her somewhat emotional.

“This is my family,” she said. I feel very humbled by this. I couldn’t even talk when they told me.”